diff --git a/.changeset/detail-stagefield-typed.md b/.changeset/detail-stagefield-typed.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..1aa791688f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.changeset/detail-stagefield-typed.md
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+---
+'@objectstack/spec': patch
+---
+
+feat(spec): add a typed `stageField` key to the object `detail` block
+
+The detail-page synth (`@object-ui/plugin-detail`) already reads
+`def.detail?.stageField` to drive — or disable — the auto status-path stepper
+(`record:path`). It only survived via the `detail` block's `.passthrough()`, so
+authors got no type or autocomplete and no way to discover the switch. Declare
+it explicitly: `string` forces a status field, `false`/`null` disables the
+stepper (use it when `status` is a non-linear picklist). `.passthrough()` is
+kept for back-compat.
diff --git a/packages/spec/src/data/object.zod.ts b/packages/spec/src/data/object.zod.ts
index 5d3f5c9351..f8e7006fcc 100644
--- a/packages/spec/src/data/object.zod.ts
+++ b/packages/spec/src/data/object.zod.ts
@@ -707,11 +707,18 @@ const ObjectSchemaBase = z.object({
    * - `hideRelatedTab=true` suppresses the "Related" tab. By default the
    *   synth removes the Related tab automatically when the rail is shown to
    *   avoid duplication; set this flag to force hide/show regardless.
+   * - `stageField` controls the auto status-path stepper (`record:path`).
+   *   A field name forces that field; `false`/`null` disables the stepper —
+   *   use it when `status` is a non-linear picklist (active/paused/voided)
+   *   that shouldn't render as an ordered Path. Omit it to let the synth
+   *   auto-detect (status/stage/state/phase, or a status/stage-typed field).
    */
   detail: z.object({
     renderViaSchema: z.boolean().optional().describe('Opt this object out of the schema-driven detail renderer'),
     hideReferenceRail: z.boolean().optional().describe('Suppress the right-hand reference-rail on the detail page'),
     hideRelatedTab: z.boolean().optional().describe('Suppress the Related tab on the detail page'),
+    stageField: z.union([z.string(), z.literal(false), z.null()]).optional()
+      .describe('record:path status field name; false/null disables the auto status-path stepper'),
   }).passthrough().optional().describe('Detail-page UI hints consumed by @object-ui/plugin-detail synth'),
 
   /**